operation of double door autoclave

1 OBJECTIVE
Double door autoclave is used for sterile zing media, glasswares, equipments, garments, etc. required to be
used in microbiology lab.

2 SCOPE
This procedure is applicable for operation of double door autoclave which is installed in microbiology lab at
ABC pharma .

3 RESPONSIBILITY
Microbiologist.

4 ACCOUNTABILITY
Head- Q.C

5 ABBREVIATIONS
PSG : Pure steam generator.
SOP : Standard operating Procedure
EQ : Equipment
PLC : Programmable Logic Controller
NO. : Number
HPHV : High pressure High vaccum
Q.A : Quality assurance
Q.C : Quality control

6 PRECAUTIONS
6.1 Don’t touch the external surface of autoclave during its sterilization cycle.
6.2 Wear personal protective equipment while unloading the material.
6.3 Always stand on right side while opening the door to avoid direct steam blast on the person.
6.4 After closing the autoclave door check that the door is locked properly so that the door does not open by
the pressure.
6.5 Always open the incoming steam valve gradually.
6.6 If the safety valve blows off, close the incoming steam and air valves immediately.
6.7 Before loading, ensure that autoclave chamber is clean and empty.
6.8 Before running VLT cycle ensure that the temperature of autoclave should not be more than 40°C.

7 MATERIAL REQUIRED
Washed Dress, Media, Glassware’s, Status label for sterilized material, Sterilization indicator.

8 EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED
8.1 SS containers, Filter assemblies.

8.2 UTILITIES REQUIRED
Pure steam, Compressed air, Cooling water.

9 PROCEDURE
9.1 Ensure that proper utility supplies, i.e. Pure steam, Cooling water and compressed air are available and the
Double door autoclave is externally and internally clean.
9.2 Switch “ON” the main power supply & then Control start switch on the panel board of the double door
autoclave.
9.3 Manually open nonsterile side door-1.
9.4 Ensure that unloading side door-2 is closed. Then Load the equipments, materials or garments for sterilizing
in the double door autoclave chamber after proper wrapping with 20 micron aluminum foil or butter paper.
Then close door-1 manually.
9.5 Ensure that both the doors are showing closed indication.
9.6 Put on the Auto/Manual switch on the “AUTO MODE”. First the name of the manufacturer will be displayed,
then press “F2” for login & enter login password “1111” & then press “ENTER”.
9.7 Press F4 for go to main screen on the PLC.The following programm will be displayed.

Key	Programms	Pressure	Sterilization hold temperature	Time (in minutes)
F1	Standard-01 (Media sterilization)	1.2 Kg/cm²	121°C	20
F1	Standard-02 (Media sterilization)	0.8 Kg/cm²	115°C	15
F2	Bowie-Dick test	1.2 Kg/cm²	121°C	17
F3	HPHV	1.2 Kg/cm²	121°C	30
F4	Vacuum leak test	1.2 Kg/cm²	–	10

PROCESS FOR VACUUM LEAK TEST CYCLE:
9.8 Press F4 for Vacuum Leak test program for testing the leakage of autoclave chamber and select up arrow
key key to run.

9.9 Check that the printer is “ON” & Press “F1” for Process start”.
9.10 Vacuum pump motor will start and vacuum line solenoid valve will also open. The air from the chamber will
be evacuated from the chamber.
9.11 When the chamber pressure will reach -0.700bar, the vacuum solenoid valve will shut off and vacuum
pump will stop, and the vacuum will stabilized for 02 minutes.
9.12 After vacuum stabilization “VLT Vacuum HOLD” starts and maintained for 10 minutes.
9.13Note down the initial vacuum level and leakage after every one minute of interval in vacuum leak test report.
9.14 After the completion of vacuum hold, the sterile air enter into the chamber automatically through the
chamber vent for breaking the vacuum of the chamber. Chamber pressure drops upto -0.08bar.
After this PLC will show ”END OF CYCLE”
9.15 Take printout of thermograph chart of cycle, Verify and attach the printout in the file.
9.16 In case of leakage over the limit (Equal to or more than 0.0013 bar/min) immediately inform to QC
Manager and Maintenance Head for necessary action.
PROCESS FOR HPHV STERILIZATION CYCLE
9.17 Press F3 for HPHV program for sterilization of dresses, glasswares and equipments & select up arrow key
to run.
9.18 Check that the printer is “ON” & Press “F1 ”for Process start”.
9.19 Ensure the set parameters on the PLC for HPHV-cycle.
i. Sterilization temperature: 121°C (Limit 121-1240 C)
ii. Sterilization hold time: 30 minutes.
iii. Jacket pressure:1.2 Kg/cm2
iv. 3 pre pulsing cycles.
9.20 The process will start automatically, now open the jacket inlet valve and the jacket is pressurized at the
preset pressure, i.e. 1.2 Kg/cm2.
9.21 Vacuum pump motor will start and vacuum line solenoid valve will also open. The air from the chamber will
be evacuated from the chamber. This operation will be repeated for three times.
9.22 After 3 pulsing cycles are over, the vacuum solenoid valve will shut off and vacuum pump will stop.
The steam will enter the chamber to break the vacuum. The heating phase starts. The chamber will be
pressurized with the steam up to the set value of sterilization temperature, i.e. 121°C.
9.23 When chamber reaches to the set temperature 121˚C and chamber pressure is 1.2Kg/cm², the
STERILIZATION HOLD period starts, which is maintained for 30 minutes.
9.24 At the interval of 5 min check and monitor the chamber steam pressure and temperature on the PLC,
gauges and the printer and ensure that all the parameters are within the specified limits as per the
parameters set on the PLC.
9.25 After the sterilization hold period is over, the steam supply solenoid valve shuts off and the Chamber
exhaust solenoid valve opens and steam from the chamber gets exhausted to the atmosphere and the
pressure drops to atmospheric pressure.

9.26 The chamber exhaust solenoid valve will shut off & vacuum pump motor will start and vacuum line
solenoid valve will also open and get post vaccum automatically for 5 minutes.
9.27 After the completion of post vaccum pulse, the sterile air enters into the chamber automatically through the
chamber vent filter for breaking the vacuum of the chamber of the sterilizer. Chamber pressure drops upto
-0.08bar. After this display will show “END OF CYCLE”.
9.28 After “END OF CYCLE” when chamber pressure of double door autoclave reaches upto the 50˚C, wear
personal protective equipments and open the sterile side door 2. Remove the sterilized items and keep at
proper place.
9.29 Take printout of sterilization cycle from printer and also take print out of thermograph chart, Verify and
attach the printout in the file.
9.30 Clean the autoclave with a fine duster from inside the chamber. Close the sterile side door 2 manually.
9.31 Take remedial action, in case of any problems, such as steam pressure of the jacket or chamber
pressure decreases, which will be indicated by hooter. In case of any major problem, switch off the
Sterilizer, first by pressing the Process abort switch and then press the emergency switch.
9.32 Stop the pure steam, cooling water and air supply of the sterilizer when sterilizer is not working.
9.33 Switch “OFF” the Process start switch on the panel board of the Double door autoclave.
9.34 Switch “OFF” the Control start switch on the panel board of the Double door autoclave.

PROCESS FOR STANDARD CYCLE (media)
9.35 Press F1 for standard cycle for sterilization of media & other liquid things, then select arrow key to run.
9.36 Check that the printer is “ON” & Press “F1”for Process start”.
9.37 Ensure the set parameters on the PLC for standard-cycle.
i. Sterilization temperature 121°C (Limit 121-1240 C)
ii. Sterilization hold time 20 minutes.
iii. Jacket pressure 1.2 Kg/cm2
9.38 The process will start automatically, now open the jacket inlet valve and the jacket is pressurized at the
pre Set pressure, i.e. 1.2 Kg/cm2.
9.39 Then heat up starts and chamber will be pressurized with the steam up to the set value of sterilization
temperature 121˚C and pressure 1.2 kg/ cm2.
9.40 When chamber reaches the set temperature and pressure the sterilization hold up period a start, which is
maintained for 20 minutes.
9.41 At the interval of 5 min check and monitor the chamber steam pressure and temperature on the controller
and gauges and the printer and ensure that all the parameter are within the specified limits as per the
parameters set on the PLC.
9.42 After the sterilization hold period is over, the steam supply solenoid valve shuts off and the chamber
exhaust solenoid valve will open and steam from the chamber will be exhausted to the atmosphere and
the pressure drops upto -0.08bar. After this display will show “END OF CYCLE”.
9.43 After “END OF CYCLE” when chamber pressure reaches upto the 50˚C, Wear Personal protective

equipments and open the sterile side door 2. Remove the sterilized items and keep at proper place.
9.44 Take printout of sterilization cycle from printer and also take print out of thermograph chart,verify and
attach the printout in the file.
9.45 Clean the autoclave with a fine duster from inside the chamber. Close the sterile side door 2 manually.
9.46 Take immediate action, in case of any problems, such as steam pressure of the jacket or chamber
pressure decreases, which will be indicated by hooter. In case of any major problem, switch off the
sterilizer, first by pressing the “Process Abort” switch and then press the emergency switch.
9.47 In case of major problem:-
9.47.1 Stop the pure steam and air supply of the sterilizer when Double door autoclave is not working.
9.47.2 Switch “OFF” the Process start switch on the panel board of the Double door autoclave.
9.47.3 Switch “OFF” the Control start switch on the panel board of the Double door autoclave.

PROCESS FOR STANDARD-02 CYCLE (Rappaport Vassiladis Salmonella Enrichment Broth)
9.48 Press F1 for standard cycle for sterilization of media & other liquid things, then select arrow key to run.
9.49 Check that the printer is “ON” & Press “F1”for Process start”.
9.50 Ensure the set parameters on the PLC for standard-cycle.
i. Sterilization temperature 115°C (Limit 115-1180 C)
ii. Sterilization hold time 15 minutes.
iii. Jacket pressure 0.80 Kg/cm2
9.51 The process will start automatically, now open the jacket inlet valve and the jacket is pressurized at the
pre Set pressure, i.e. 0.80 Kg/cm2.
9.52 Then heat up starts and chamber will be pressurized with the steam up to the set value of sterilization
temperature 115˚C and pressure 0.80 Kg/cm2.
9.53 When chamber reaches the set temperature and pressure the sterilization hold up period a start, which is
maintained for 15 minutes.
9.54 At the interval of 5 min check and monitor the chamber steam pressure and temperature on the controller
and gauges and the printer and ensure that all the parameter are within the specified limits as per the
parameters set on the PLC.
9.55 After the sterilization hold period is over, the steam supply solenoid valve shuts off and the chamber
exhaust solenoid valve will open and steam from the chamber will be exhausted to the atmosphere and
the pressure drops upto -0.08bar.After this display will show “END OF CYCLE”.
9.56 After “END OF CYCLE” when chamber pressure reaches upto the 50˚C, Wear Personal protective
equipments and open the sterile side door 2. Remove the sterilized items and keep at proper place.

9.57 Take printout of sterilization cycle from printer and also take print out of thermograph chart, verify and
attach the printout in the file.
9.58 Clean the autoclave with a fine duster from inside the chamber. Close the sterile side door 2 manually.
9.59 Take immediate action, in case of any problems, such as steam pressure of the jacket or chamber pressure
decreases, which will be indicated by hooter. In case of any major problem, switch off the sterilizer, first by
pressing the “Process Abort” switch and then press the emergency switch.
9.60 In case of major problem:-
9.60.1 Stop the pure steam and air supply of the sterilizer when Double door autoclave is not working.
9.60.2 Switch “OFF” the Process start switch on the panel board of the Double door autoclave.
9.60.3 Switch “OFF” the Control start switch on the panel board of the Double door autoclave.

10 FREQUENCY
Vacuum Leak Cycle- Once in a day (First Cycle)
Standard-01 (Media sterilization) – As per Requirement
Standard-02 (Media sterilization) – As per Requirement
HPHV – As per Requirement
Bowie-Dick test- For validation period

11 ENCLOSURES
Annexure I, – Material Loading Pattern
Annexure II, III, IV – Sch. Dia. Of Min. Loaded Chamber Heat Penetration Study For Cy-01 to Cy-03.
Annexure V, VI, VII – Sch. Dia. Of Max. Loaded Chamber Heat Penetration Study For Cy-01 to Cy-03.
Annexure VIII, IX, X – Sch. Dia. Of Min. Media Loaded Chamber Heat Penetration Study For Cy-01 to Cy-03.
Annexure XI, XII, XII – Sch. Dia. Of Max. Media Loaded Chamber Heat Penetration Study For Cy-01 to Cy-03.
Annexure XIV – Double Door Autoclave Sterilization Record Format.
Annexure XV – Vacuum Leak Test Report Format.
Annexure XVI – Status label For Sterilization Material.
Annexure IV – Change History Log Format.

operation of double door autoclave

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